AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Swept by Wingnuts, Fall 2-1 Sunday

Published on June 28, 2009 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


WICHITA, KS (June 28, 2009) - The St. Paul Saints finished out a dreadful weekend in Wichita, falling 2-1 to the Wingnuts on Sunday afternoon at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Coming into the series the Saints knew they had to get a sweep in order to stay in contention for a first half North Division title. Instead it was the Wingnuts breaking out the brooms and sweeping the visiting Saints, now losers of four straight games. With the victory, Wichita clinches a first half North Division title and earns their first ever American Association postseason berth.

Knowing a win would give them a spot in the playoffs, Wingnuts manager Kevin Hooper decided to play it close to the vest all night long. Facing a 1-0 deficit in the third, Wingnuts second baseman led off the inning with a single. Greg Porter then followed with a single, putting two men on with nobody out. Hooper then opted to play small ball and have his cleanup hitter, Dustan Mohr, execute a sacrifice bunt to move both runners up. His strategy worked to perfection. After Kelly Hunt was intentional walked, Joe Muich hit a sacrifice fly to score Horn and tie the game at 1-1.

With the game still knotted at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth, the Wingnuts strung a few hits together and were able to take the lead. Porter singled to lead off the inning, his third hit of the day. Mohr then followed with a single and two batters later Steve Pearson singled to drive home the go ahead run, putting the Wingnuts on top 2-1. The Saints would never regain the lead as Will Savage and the Wichita bullpen were terrific.

Savage, fresh off a no-hitter in his last outing Tuesday night in Sioux City, continued to throw the ball exceptionally well. He threw 7.0 solid innings, allowing just one run on six hits while walking two and striking out two. Ronnie Morales, Amad Stephens and Richard Salazar combined to close out the Saints in the eighth and ninth. Salazar got the final two outs of the ballgame to earn his first save of the season.

Saints starter Mitch Wylie gave a strong performance, but it was not enough to prevent being eliminated from first half contention. Wylie went all 8.0 innings, giving up just two runs on 10 hits while walking four and striking out four. Unfortunately for Wylie, the Saints offense could not provide him with enough support. They mustered just one run on Sunday, a night after being blanked by Adam Cowart. Steve Butler's RBI groundout in the second provided their lone run of the game. Tony Mansolino singled in the first to extend his hitting streak to ten games.

The Saints will now return home to the friendly confines of Midway Stadium where they own a 12-6 record this season. They will open up a four game series Monday night against the rival Lincoln Saltdogs. The Saltdogs, led by former Saints manager Marty Scott, will send RHP Jim Paddoch (2-3, 5.16) to the mound. The Saints have yet to announce a starter for Monday night's game. The series opener between the Saints and Saltdogs will start at 7:05 pm Monday night at Midway Stadium. The game can be seen on the Saints Cable Network (check saintsbaseball.com for the channel in your area) and heard live on Relevant Radio 1330.

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American Association Stories from June 28, 2009


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